LED Eye-wear for Myopia Control via Retinal Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing prevalence of myopia, particularly in the developed world and Asia, is attributed to reduced exposure to ambient outdoor light due to lifestyle changes and indoor activities, which affects the development of refractive errors in the eye, as the mechanism is multivariate and involves changes in crystalline lens geometry and vitreous chamber depth.
Innovation Solution
Eye-wear borne electromagnetic radiation refractive therapy systems that incorporate peripheral electromagnetic radiation sources, such as LEDs, with adjustable spectral properties and direction, to provide controlled radiation to the retina, either with or without vision correction, and potentially combined with contact lenses, to regulate ocular components and refractive errors, differing from existing methods that primarily focus on filtering red light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ambient outdoor light exposure is reduced due to lifestyle changes and indoor activities, then refractive error development is affected, but myopia prevalence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (contact lens or spectacle with electromagnetic radiation source) that mediates between the reduced ambient light exposure and the retina. This intermediary delivers controlled electromagnetic radiation directly to the retinal periphery, compensating for the lack of natural outdoor light exposure and maintaining proper refractive error regulation despite indoor lifestyle constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the electromagnetic radiation delivered to the retina through adjustable parameters including wavelength (spectral properties), intensity (amplitude), and duration of exposure. This allows optimization of therapeutic effects to regulate refractive error development while accounting for individual patient needs and mimicking the spectral characteristics of natural outdoor light.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic radiation sources are incorporated into eye-wear to provide controlled radiation to the retina, then refractive error regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing an eye-wear system that can serve multiple functions: correcting refractive errors (through traditional lens optics) and regulating refractive error development (through electromagnetic radiation delivery). The system can also potentially combine pharmaceutical delivery and sensing functions, allowing a single device to address multiple ocular health needs simultaneously, thereby justifying the increased complexity through enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic radiation source as a separate, modular component that can be independently controlled and optimized. This extraction allows the radiation delivery function to be developed and adjusted separately from the optical correction function, enabling independent optimization of each subsystem and simplifying the overall system design despite the added functionality.
3Reliability
If peripheral electromagnetic radiation is used to regulate refractive error development, then myopia progression is reduced, but spectral properties must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing LEDs with specifically selected spectral characteristics that mimic the blue end and near-visible short wavelength ultraviolet light present in natural outdoor light. This spectral parameter control is achieved through careful selection of LED materials and designs, allowing precise delivery of therapeutically effective wavelengths while filtering out potentially harmful portions of the spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color changes (spectral filtering) by using LEDs that emit specific wavelengths corresponding to the blue end of the spectrum and near-visible ultraviolet light. This selective wavelength emission achieves the therapeutic effect of mimicking outdoor light exposure while controlling the spectral properties to deliver only the beneficial portions of the electromagnetic spectrum to the retinal periphery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for targeted regulation of refractive error development by varying the amplitude, wavelength, and direction of electromagnetic radiation, potentially reducing myopia progression by mimicking outdoor light exposure without relying on ambient light levels, and can be combined with pharmaceutical delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic effects.
Implementation Method 1
Eye-wear borne electromagnetic radiation refractive therapy
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic radiation source comprising a ring of LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
An eye-wear borne electromagnetic radiation refractive therapy system can comprise an electromagnetic radiation source comprising a ring of LEDs that directs one of its on axis or off axis electromagnetic radiation to a desired peripheral retina area of a wearer's eye; a power source for powering the LEDs, an antenna for receiving signals and a processor for controlling the LEDs; wherein the electromagnetic radiation source includes spectral characteristics similar to outdoor light.